I have been asked frequently of late:  “Is it too late to plant from seed?”, Absolutely not!

May and June are the perfect months of the year in the Whitsundays to start planting your vegetables and herbs. So, get planting this month!

If you are just getting started in the vegetable growing world, then easy to grow options are:

Beans, Peas, Beetroot, Lettuce, Radish, cucumbers and tomatoes.

A few fun things to grow now, to get the children in the garden:

Sunflowers for a BIG and fun pop of colour that brings out the child in all of us.

For food that is easy for them to pick and eat straight from the garden try Snow Peas, Snap Peas and Cherry Tomatoes. My son’s son (I’m too young to be a grandmother!) at age 2, will pick every tomato and snow pea he can find, it’s great!

Important side note:

Support your beans and peas with a stake pushed into the ground by at least 15cm, with at least 1.5m above the ground.  Seeds should be placed about 5cm on the inside of your stakes/frames. When your plants reach the top of the stake, snip off the growing tip, this will prevent them growing higher.

Herbs in my garden:

This year I have planted more herbs than in previous years and it is already paying off on a multitude of levels. The colour and fragrance it brings to the garden is benefit enough but they have also influenced my cooking with great health benefits.  

It’s easy to pick herbs straight from the patch, it saves money (a bunch of fresh herbs are costly, and you often only use ½ before throwing the wilted remanence out) and to add to all of that, they attract beneficial insects and are great companion plants.  

Most herbs need full sun to thrive, so that’s at least six hours of sunlight every day.

While your herb plants are young, restrict pickings to a maximum of 1/3 of the plant and no more than ½ the growth of a mature plant.  

But pick away! Herb plants benefit from regular picking, it will encourage further leaf growth and will hold back early flowering which results in the end of plant growth in many herbs.

Try these herbs in your garden today:

PARSLEY – Easy to grow and a great all rounder

I find the flat leaf variety does really well.

Pick from the outside to prolong longevity

High source of Iron & Vit C

Great for salads, stuffings, soups, pasta sauces and as a garnish

ROSEMARY – A woody shrub that keeps on giving and smells amazing when you brush past it

Try dwarf rosemary for a hedge or weeping rosemary to cascade over a garden edge

Contains over 15 antioxidants

A favourite with lamb and good in potato dishes

BASIL – With over 30 different varieties, offering a variety of colours, flowers, fragrances and health benefits, try a few!

I love purple basil just for its colour and lemon basil for its fragrance. I rub a few leaves between my hands as I water, its part of my morning wake up ritual.

Great in pasta sauces, soups and salads, basil is the perfect companion for tomatoes not only on your plate but also in the ground for its ability to repel pests.

DILL

A source of magnesium and vitamin A, dill aids digestion

A great accompaniment with fish, in salads, yoghurt dishes and with cucumbers.

Beneficial insects love the umbrella shaped flowers of the dill plant and so do I

Companion planting in the vegetable garden:

Here are a few ideas on what benefits from being planted together:

Basil with Tomatoes

Chives with carrots, tomatoes, lettuce and celery

Parsley with carrots

Rosemary with carrots, cabbage, kale, broccoli and Brussel sprouts

Sage with carrots

Mint with brassicas

Nasturtiums with tomatoes, radish and squash

In most cases herbs make great companion plants but there are a few exceptions to the rule.

Don’t plant:

Chives with Peas

Dill with Carrots

Or Fennel with Tomatoes

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Last week a group of 20 Bowen State High School students from the Year 10 cohort enjoyed a hands-on workshop that taught them what it would be like to be a ‘Tradie for a Day’.

The virtual welding was a clear favourite, with school principal Robert Harris saying that most high-school students don’t get the opportunity to try welding until their final years and only if they’ve selected an Industrial Technology and Design subject.

“This was such a fun and innovative way for them to try out a new skill thanks to the impressive advancement in virtual reality technology,” he said.

The workshop was supported by Abbot Point Operations (APO) and delivered by Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

APO General Manager Allan Brown said learning directly from industry professionals helped the students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the resources and energy sector, and more specifically the intricacies of port operations.

“The activities from today’s workshop were cleverly delivered with a resources industry focus, where students could take the skills they picked up and apply them to real-world scenarios,” Mr Brown said.

“This not only gave them a competitive advantage for their future career pathways, but it also demonstrated how important intangible skills like critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork are.”

Queensland Resources Council Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said with the growing demand for trade-based professionals, these students are now armed with the skills and confidence to unearth a rewarding career in the resources and energy sector.

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Abbot Point Operations Fourth Year Engineering (Fitting and Turning) Apprentice Bryce Doyle instructs Bowen State High School students at the QMEA's Tradie for a Day workshop. Photo Supplied

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A new course to help close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Care has been announced by the TAFE Queensland Bowen Campus and eligible students may be able to study for free.

The Certificate lll in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Care is being offered for the first time at the Bowen Health Hub.

It is predicted that the Indigenous health worker sector will grow strongly over the coming years and could increase by 17 per cent.

Community and Health Faculty Manager for TAFE Queensland in Far North and North Queensland, Melanie Clarke, said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers are a vital link between individuals, communities, and health services.

“The course will teach students how to undertake basic health assessments, as well as how to identify community health issues and needs, and assist with health screening, promotion and education services,” she said.

The year-long course begins this month and will encompass seven week-long training blocks at the Bowen Health Hub.

“The facility is a simulated clinical training ward which replicates a real-life hospital environment, allowing students to gain vital hands-on skills using industry equipment and technology,” said Ms Clarke.

“To top it off, students will also complete 120 hours of vocational placement in a professional health workplace, meaning students will use their new skills straight away and gain industry exposure before they graduate.”

To apply now visit the TAFE Queensland Bowen campus, call 1300 308 233 or go to www.tafeqld.edu.au.

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TAFE Queensland Indigenous Health Training course is available now at Bowen Health Hub. Photo supplied

Based in Brisbane, Circa, is a visionary contemporary acrobatic and circus show, that tests the limits of human movement and powerful performance.

On by Circa is the newest performance to the company’s repertoire, illuminating the haunting tale of a chance encounter, a single touch, an impossible connection, with eight strangers.

Set in the backdrop of an apartment block’s courtyard, the audience is swayed through the performance, following love, loss, and enchanting beauty.

Since 2004, Circa has established itself as a global leader in circus performing arts.

Circa performances have been hosted all over the globe, in over 40 different countries, to over 1.5 million people, with a many sell-out shows.

Productions offer a range of performances, including large scale opera, extreme choreographic sights, and intimate instrumentals.

A creation of Yaron Lifschitz, On by Circa speaks to natural circus artistry, with accompaniments from composition from Melbourne’s Jethro Woodward and lighting design from Paul Jackson.

In a bare performance, the extreme skill of acrobatics is put on full display, the performers becoming art themselves, establishing a striking intimacy that leave audiences feeling that they, alone, experienced the show.

“On by Circa explores the gift of weight that lies at the heart of acrobatics. The simple act of giving and accepting another’s mass is transformed into a profound mediation about beauty, loss, and trust,” Yaron Lifschitz said.

WHAT: On By Circa

WHERE: Proserpine Entertainment Centre

WHEN: Saturday, 20 May 6.30pm

TICKETS: proserpineentertainmentcentre.com.au

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Experience the acrobatic show of the year

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After weeks of campaigning and four days of voting, 21 young candidates became 12 young councillors as the first democratically elected Mackay region Youth Council was announced last Sunday.

The Mackay region is the first in Australia to undertake the program with the assistance of Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), which follows on from two years of YOL1000, a youth survey program facilitated by the Mackay Regional Council.

“What they told us is they wanted some sort of a voice in the community that they love,” said Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.

“How better a voice can you get than a democratically elected council?”

Almost 1,400 people aged 10 to 17 placed their vote and had their say in who they want to see represent them in the first democratically elected Mackay region Youth Council.

Voting opened from May 2 to 5 with ballot boxes available at schools, libraries and throughout the community, while candidates campaigned with t-shirts and flyers.

“The last week of voting and campaigning’s been amazing,” said FYA Young Mayors Program Assistant Mackay Savannah Vella.

“We’ve travelled around to different schools and community places, put up ballot boxes, and had so many people turn up to vote which has been amazing.

“All of our young candidates have done such a great job of campaigning, not just to their own schools but to the wider community.”

Deegan McCormack said he was shocked and surprised to learn he was successful and is excited to grow his image and experience.

“I want to be a light that people can go to and talk about feelings and what they would like to see,” Deegan said.

Fellow youth councillor Stephen Miranda is the youngest in the program at 12 years old and based his campaign on improving mental health resources.

“It is very exciting to be elected as part of the first youth council in Australia, it’s anybody who wants to get into politics’ dream,” Stephen said.

“Mackay is a very rapidly growing city ... and if we’re already struggling with the services we have currently, I think it’s going to be catastrophic.”

Stephen made t-shirts and created campaign flyers that were put up throughout Sarina and Mackay.

“I think I managed to get almost all of the school to vote, and I think it’s insane how many people voted,” he said.

The 12 young councillors will begin their journey next week, their first order of business being an induction featuring a swearing in ceremony and a tour of country, preparing them for a year in office.

“It’s been a fantastic campaign, they’ve all learnt a lot out of the campaign, and now comes the hard part of trying to work together as a team of young people on the first youth council in Australia,” said Mr Williamson.

“We’ve said to them as a council when they’ve got some policies in line, they can come and brief the Mackay Regional Council and we’ll see how we can assist them from there.”

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Mackay Region Youth Council

Henry Burrell

Lily Cheyne

Krystopher Gakowski

Ojas Goti

Deegan McCormack

Rory McPhail

Stephen Miranda

Evelyn O’Brien

Reuben Pulikkottil

Nate Ralph

Caitlin Rourke

Bridget Wright

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12 young Mackay residents were welcomed into Australia’s first youth council last weekend by Mayor Greg Williamson. Photo credit: FYA / Leah McLean

FYA Young Mayors Program Assistant Mackay Savannah Vella. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Voting was completed throughout the Mackay region with the assistance of the Electoral Commission of Queensland. Photo credit: FYA / Leah McLean

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Hi readers

This week’s issue is absolutely packed with sport, although some stories are, unfortunately, more triumphant than others.

Firstly, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the BMD Premiership Cutters smash their way through their inaugural season in the women’s competition, finishing third on the ladder with five wins and two losses. Their campaign came to an end last weekend, devastatingly close to a grand final appearance, when they went down in a closely fought semi-final in Brisbane – read the recap on page 26. It’s been a huge effort for their first season, one they should all be proud of. With many of the Cutters lining up for the North Queensland Cowboys in their first NRLW season later in the year, I’m excited to see what comes.

It was lovely to chat with Jane Deguara who competed at the Queensland State Masters Championship Regatta with three of her fellow Mackay Rowing Club members. It’s so good to see our local and comparatively smaller clubs succeed on the state stage, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve at Nationals in June. Read that story on page 10.

We caught up with 16-year-old Zac Uhr who is making waves in the wheelchair basketball scene after being elevated to the Australian Under 23 Spinners Program under the guidance of five-time Paralympian and former Rollers captain Brad Ness. Read his story on page 6.

Mackay Athletics and Cycling clubs had big weekends recently, and you can catch all the action on page 24.

On a personal note, I’ve had a successful week in sport with big wins at both netball and tennis, so watch out for a purple patch of form from me.

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Emersen Lamb said winning Miss Junior Teen Diamond International last year changed her life.

The year 10 student’s pageantry success left her inspired and hungry to chase her dreams of becoming a model.

This hunger led her to being accepted for a full month-long tour with Sunshine Coast-based fashion label Belle Le Chic, taking her to Los Angeles, New York, Mykonos, Santorini, Venice, Milan, and Paris.

“I feel like this trip is going to help me take the next step in my career,” Emersen said.

“It means so much to me, it’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to go.

“It’s so crazy to think that I’ll be overseas in a couple of months chasing my dreams in the big city.”

While on the trip, Emersen and around 20 other models of varying ages will participate in photo shoots and runways at New York, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks, while concerts, tours and sightseeing will fill the rest of the month.

While Emersen is only in the early years of her modelling career, she hopes to come home from the trip more confident and experienced.

She aims to be an inspiration for young women.

“I just want young girls to know that they can do anything they put their minds to,” Emersen said.

“I used to be a really shy little girl, I never thought I could do anything like this, but once I joined Brooke Lee Modelling, my confidence has boosted so much, and it’s changed my life.

Locally, Emersen is also a RACQ CQ Rescue Talent Competition Finalist, happening in June, as well as a finalist in the Miss Photogenic Australia Competition in July.

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Local model Emersen Lamb will walk the runway at New York, Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks later this year. Photo supplied

When four local businessmen attended the Trudy Crowley Foundation Ball last year, they made the decision to pool their resources and make a vital donation.

“We all thought what better way to help the guys out than by buying the car they were raising money for, then all the money they raise could go to something else,” said Brendan Camilleri of Comiskey Mining Services.

Mr Camilleri along with Craig Percival (Woollam Constructions), Daniel Callinan (New Pioneer Motors Mackay) and Rod Allen (Inspec Industries) handed over the keys on Monday, the Trudy Crowley Foundation board members extremely appreciative of the donation.

“It’s amazing that the business community supports our foundation and the work that we do,” said Board Chair Pauline Townsend.

“There are so many things happening; we’re just going from strength to strength.”

The car is the second to join the Trudy Crowley Foundation fleet and will used by a second palliative care nurse, Chris Giannengelo, who joined Rosie Stannard, the first and only nurse in Australia solely employed to assist women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, on March 1.

“We have patients in Proserpine, Airlie and Bowen so the girls will be travelling,” said Ms Townsend.

“They will have their own vehicles and now they can go into those areas with more mobility; they’re not relying on sharing their car.

“There’s so much that we can give our patients, and this is just another milestone.”

The Trudy Crowley Foundation now turns its fundraising efforts to the Trudy Crowly Sanctuary palliative care home.

Visit www.trudycrowleyfoundation.com.au to learn more and to donate.

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Trudy Crowley Foundation board members accepted the donation of a new car by four local businessmen earlier this week

Nurse Chris Giannengelo, Board Chair Pauline Townsend and Nurse Rosie Stannard. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

The Australian Government has handed down a budget that, for the first time in 15 years, is in surplus.

In their second budget, the Labor government announced a $4.2 billion surplus which has largely been credited to corporate tax gained from the resources industry.

The government has called it “a responsible budget in uncertain times”, saying it “continues the Albanese Government’s work to strengthen the nation’s finances while laying the foundations for a stronger, fairer and more resilient economy into the future.”

But Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is left unsatisfied with the results for his electorate.

“I’m pretty disappointed in the budget as a whole,” Mr Willcox said.

“We’re talking about a surplus of $4.2 billion, well that is largely on the back of an increase in commodity prices.

“We’ve produced a lot of this extra income that’s gone towards the surplus and yet all our infrastructure that’s been in the budget has been scrapped.

“The money’s being generated in rural and regional Australia; we need some infrastructure and support for our people so we can continue to do that.”

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry agreed, saying regional Australia deserves a fair share.

“It is simply not good enough that the hardworking Australians, who live and work in the regions that produce the prosperity we all enjoy, are not receiving their fair share back through investment in local community organisations, infrastructure and roads,” she said.

“It does not create a prosperous, stronger and sustainable Australia.”

Mr Willcox has been advocating for local projects including upgrades to the Bruce Highway, investment into local veterans’ welfare and the Urannah Dam project, all of which have been shunned in the budget.

One thing he is happy to see, though, is the tripling of bulk billing incentives.

“The GP rebate is going to be tripled for certain Australians, the under 16s, the pensioners, the Commonwealth concession card holders,” he said.

“I think health is very important and should be looked after for everybody, but I’m pleased our most vulnerable are being looked after.”

While the budget looks to address the cost-of-living crisis and benefit certain members of the community, including healthcare workers, veterans, low-income renters and welfare recipients, Mr Willcox said it’s not enough.

“Under the Labor Government, what we’ve seen is high inflation, we’ve seen our mortgages go up, we’ve seen fuel go up, we’ve seen grocery prices go up, so there certainly needs to be some measures in place,” he said.

“Cost-of-living pressures have now turned into a cost-of-living crisis, and it’s really starting to bite people.”

Mr Willcox promised to take his time dissecting the budget to identify opportunities for the people of Dawson.

“My role in opposition is to hold the government to account and I’ll work with anybody to make sure the people of my area get the best deal they possibly can,” he said.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to get what we can for my residents and constituents in the area.

“It’s going to take time to pull this to bits, but I’ll do that and while there’s breath in my body, I’ll be punching away every single day.”

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What Andrew Willcox Says Dawson Has Missed Out On

• Bruce Highway Upgrades – “There’s no mention of any funding for the Bruce Highway and we’re in much need of funds for that.”

• Second Mackay Ring Road – “The Mackay Ring Road has been delayed to 2025.”

• Mackay RSL – “The $5 million we had in there for veterans’ wellness, which was going to see a new RSL and a veterans’ wellness retreat at Kinchant Dam, has been scrapped.”

• Urannah Dam – “The North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority’s being scrapped, so that was $9.5 million and that was going to oversee projects like Urannah Dam, the Burdekin to Bowen pipeline, the raising of Burdekin Falls Dam. Australia’s a dry continent. We should be building dams, catching water, and using our water for tourism opportunities, for urban use, for mining, for agriculture.”

• Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsundays Upgrades – “All we were asking for there was $420,000, which will upgrade their headquarters and operational centre.”

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Members of the Mackay community, including the Mackay Police department and other government departments, has remembered victims of family and domestic violence at a candlelight vigil at the Blue Water Quay in Mackay last week.

Within Australia, one woman a week is killed by an intimate partner.

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, and the Mackay Women’s Centre held the candlelight ceremony to commemorate victims and bring awareness.

This year’s theme is ‘It’s in our control to end coercive control’ and urge the community to be aware of coercive control, which is a pattern of behaviours that create hesitancy and fear, using intimidation and humiliation.

Contact the Mackay Women’s Centre if you or anyone you know requires assistance, 07 4953 1788.

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Mackay Police join members of the community to remember domestic violence victims. Photo supplied

Since the release of damning reports in 2022, the Mackay Base Hospital has hired two new senior obstetrics and gynaecological specialists.

Dr Leigh Grant and Dr Barton Matshe have joined the Women’s Health Unit of Mackay Base Hospital.

“We are very pleased to welcome both Dr Leigh Grant and Dr Barton Matshe to the team here at Mackay Base Hospital as they not only have many years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), but a great passion for caring for women and their families,” said Mackay HHS Acting Chief Executive Charles Pain.

Dr Grant initially joined the team in March, but as of April 21, she “has accepted the position of Clinical Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”

“She will lead a team of five specialists, and we have two more specialists joining the team, one in July and one in September,” said Dr Pain.

Dr Grant has welcomed the new position.

“Mackay has great facilities, and the staff are all friendly and welcoming, so I’m looking forward to working in this community as we continue to rebuild trust in the services we provide,” Dr Grant said.

Dr Matshe has come from New Zealand, after receiving his training in South Africa.

“He has a special interest in working with culturally diverse communities and providing these women with safe birthing experiences,” Dr Pain said.

“It was time for me to make a change, so I was quite keen to come here and take up a new challenge,” Dr Matshe said.

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Dr Leigh Grant and Dr Barton Matshe join Mackay Base Hospital Women’s Health Unit. Photo supplied

After growing up on a sugar cane farm in Sarina and nearly 30 years after beginning his medical career in Mackay, Dr Adrian Wescott has welcomed a new role of Clinical Director of Surgery with Mackay Base Hospital.

Dr Wescott spent three years at Mackay Base Hospital once completing his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree with the University of Queensland, where he found his passion.

“I did two rotations in surgery as an intern – I knew it was for me pretty quickly,” he said.

“Surgery is something I can do to fix someone, and people get better as a general rule.”

He then transferred to Townsville Hospital to garner more surgical training, with time spent in intensive care and neurosurgery.

Completing training with the Royal Australian College of General Surgery and a Fellowship with the Brisbane Mater Hospital in breast and endocrine surgery, Dr Westcott returned to Mackay Base Hospital in 2008.

His new role will be overseeing urology, neurosurgery, vascular, ENT, ophthalmology, and general surgery, with a priority being to attract more surgeons to the region.

“Mackay is competing with other areas for doctors, so we need to highlight that our region is an enjoyable place to bring up a family and that there are a lot of career opportunities here,” Dr Wescott said.

“Mackay is becoming stronger and more self-sufficient in what we provide.

“This is a five to 10-year plan. We’re playing a long game. And there are certain things you can only change when you are sitting in the chair,” he said.

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Dr Adrian Wescott grew up on a sugar cane farm in Sarina and welcomes new responsibility. Photo supplied

James Cook University’s Mackay campuses have been gifted an Indigenous name in a fitting acknowledgment of the role played by Indigenous people in advancing the University.

JCU’s clinical campuses at Mackay Base Hospital and the Mater Private Hospital Mackay will now be jointly known as Ngudya Yamba (pronounced nood-ja yum-ba), meaning ‘place of knowledge’ in the language of Traditional Owners, the Yuwi People.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said last week’s ceremony was the fifth of its kind at James Cook University following ceremonies on Townsville, Cairns, and Thursday Island campuses.

“It is a privilege to be given this name by the Yuwi People.

“It’s about showing respect for the places on which we operate and the fact that our indigenous people were here 60,000 years before us.

“That respect of having them gift us a name is a really important part of the development of the university.”

Yuibera Traditional Owner and Cultural Practise Program Facilitator at Mackay Base Hospital Philip Kemp is part of the Mackay Aboriginal Language Group who gifted the name to the University.

“As a descendant of the traditional custodians for Mackay, the Yuwi people, it is a great honour to be able to gift the name to JCU,” he said.

Mr Kemp said the group has been working with council and local businesses to spread the language.

“We’re pleased that those requests are coming from organisations,” he said.

“People are starting to recognise that Aboriginal culture is a strong culture and language, culture and stories all come together to provide that rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Mr Biggs said the biggest step in paying respect to Australia’s indigenous people is population parity, with the university’s student population currently represented by 7% indigenous people while the catchment region is home to 13-14%.

“The ultimate sign of respect for us will be when we’ve all worked together to improve the educational outcomes for the Indigenous people of Australia,” he said.

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Yuibera Traditional Owner Philip Kemp with JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs at the newly named Ngudya Yamba campus at Mackay Base Hospital. Photo supplied

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Staff at Mackay Base Hospital celebrated International Midwives Day last Friday, May 5 with the presentation of awards, celebrating the hospital’s midwives and their dedication and contributions to maternal and newborn health.

The theme of International Midwives Day 2023 was ‘together again: from evidence to reality’, a theme that some staff say is more relevant to the hospital than ever.

The three awards given out were the Emerging Midwife Award, Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award and the Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award.

Mia Cray was awarded the Emerging Midwife Award and said she’s grown a lot in her 15 months as a Registered Midwife.

“I think being able to provide that care is what drove me,” Ms Cray said.

“I’m naturally pretty good at being around people and getting that relationship going.

“It’s really lovely getting to know these women and their families and being there for the whole experience.

“I’m really proud, I feel like this really solidifies that I’ve chosen the right career and that I’m doing pretty well in it.”

The Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award nominees were nominated by patients and was awarded to Donna Towers, a midwife of 25 years.

“In my care, I always try and treat women as I would,” she said.

“It can be a scary time when you’re pregnant and you don’t know options of care, so just talking to people as you would want your family members to be spoken to.

“We have an amazing bunch of midwives here … it’s an absolute honour to be picked.”

Maternity Unit Manager Kylie Clark said, historically, midwifery achievements were celebrated and recognised amongst nursing awards, this year being the first for the International Midwives Day celebrations.

“It’s important that these people are recognised as well, but we’re all here to do the same job,” she said.

“We have a lot of midwives who are great leaders and passionate about their profession.

“We’ve had our challenges so as a health service we’re just aiming to repair our reputation and do the best we can to provide a great service to Mackay.”

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2023 International Midwives Day Awards

Emerging Midwife Award (Postgraduate) – Mia Cray

Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award (Consumer/patient nomination) – Donna Towers

Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award – Donna Martin (Proserpine)

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L-R Interim Chief Executive Dr Charles Pain, Maternity Unit Manager Kylie Clark, Clinical Midwife Donna Towers, Registered Midwife Mia

A GENUINE passion for hoops and strong will to succeed have helped transform schoolboy Zac Uhr into a prolific scoring whiz kid in the fast paced sport of wheelchair basketball.

Since his introduction to the game as a fresh faced ten year old the rangy Uhr has developed into one of the region’s best young ‘bigs’ – with the 2025 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships well in his sights.

It has been a meteoric rise for the 16 year old St Patrick’s College Mackay student who was quickly elevated to the Australian Under 23 Spinners Program under the guidance of five time Paralympian and former Rollers captain Brad Ness.

The promising Uhr has attended Under 16 Emerging Camps at the Australian Institute of Sport since the age of 15 where Head Coach Ness has provided an elite training environment that helps athletes identify what it takes to represent the ‘green and gold’ on an international stage.

Zac was recruited by the Mackay Machines at the age of ten and blooded in the Northern Challenge competition where he developed his scoring and rebounding against sides from Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton.

“I learnt so much in those formative years by simply observing matches and just being part of the group,” recalled Zac.

By the age of 13, Uhr was a regular in the Mackay side where he blossomed under the coaching of Peter Sumpter and held his own against older and wiser opponents.

Revelling in his role as a ‘big,’ Zac showed courage and skill to help the Machines reach the Challenge Final and this year achieved a personal milestone when appointed team captain.

He made his State debut for the Queensland Rolling Thunder at the 2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Townsville.

Zac recently skippered the Machines at the Classics tournament in Brisbane where they finished runners up to Rockhampton – teaming up with talented Australian U/23s colleague Brayden Foxley-Conolly, 18; Jordan Williams, Ryan Williams, Shannon Buxton and Sherri Jennings.

Uhr also plays basketball for the Renegades Under 16s and Under 18s and in July will participate in the inaugural National Wheelchair Basketball League round robin series for Southern District Spartans against teams from Sydney, Wollongong, Darwin and Perth.

“My dream is to attend college in the United States, study sports journalism and represent the Australian Rollers one day at the Olympics and World Championships” revealed Zac.

By Chris Karas

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Wheelchair basketball ace Zac Uhr has achieved plenty at the age of 16 – captaining the Mackay Machines and forcing his way into the Australia Under 23 Spinners squad